UPDATE: Families in Amherst, Ohio, are bracing for significant budget cuts as the Amherst Exempted Village Schools face $5 million in reductions due to a dire financial crisis. This urgent situation follows the failure of a crucial income tax levy on the November ballot, which would have generated $10 million for the district.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, officials confirmed that the district is now classified as in a “precautionary” financial status by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). To comply with state regulations and avoid potential intervention, the district must enact significant cuts to its budget for the upcoming year.
Superintendent Mike Molnar emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We have to look at what cuts can we make to eliminate that deficit in two years.” The district has not requested new operating revenue for over a decade, and its state funding has remained stagnant for 15 years. The current forecast predicts a staggering deficit exceeding $8.5 million by the fiscal year 2028.
Parents are expressing deep concerns regarding the potential impact on education quality. Local resident Shea Alltmont, mother of a junior at Marion Steele High School, noted, “It’s part of the reason that we moved here to Amherst… I want to see [students] have just as many opportunities as my kids did.”
The Board of Education is considering drastic measures, including the permanent reduction of up to 40 staff members and cuts totaling $1.5 million in supplies, resources, textbooks, and programs. Board members aim to implement strategic cuts that minimize the impact on students’ education.
Molnar stated, “It’ll be harder, it’ll be tighter, there will be some losses that everyone will have to deal with.” To address the financial issues, the district may also propose another ballot measure to voters in the spring.
Amherst must submit a plan to resolve this financial forecast by December 21, 2023, with a final vote on the proposed budget set for December 15. Families are anxiously awaiting the board’s decision, as many worry about the long-term implications for their children and the community at large.
As the situation develops, concerned parents and community members are urged to stay informed and prepared for the potential changes that could reshape the educational landscape in Amherst.
